Are you sure nothing is stirring? Not even a mouse?

Cold weather drives most animals and insects - like, say, mice - to find warmth, which could lead them straight to your house. And if they find a food source, they're moving in.Photo by
usbfco

A lot of homeowners might be starting to notice some unwanted guests. No, not the in-laws. I'm talking about pests, mice in particular.

Cold weather drives most animals and insects to find warmth, which could lead them straight to your house. And if they find a food source, they're moving in.

What are the signs that you have mice? If you find mouse droppings it's a no brainer. Little bits of chewed-up food packages are also telltale signs. You might also be able to hear them in your walls or ceiling. They lurk in the cellar, the garage, pantry, kitchen — even bedrooms.

It takes just one mouse to make most people feel uncomfortable in their homes. And I don't blame them.

Mice are known to carry diseases, bacteria, viruses and parasites. Breathing in small particles from their droppings, urine, saliva or nesting materials can make you sick. The particles can get into the air by sweeping or vacuuming. That's why you're supposed to spray any area where mice have been with a disinfectant. It helps keep the particles from flying around, and then you can sweep or vacuum (remember to wear a disposable mask and gloves).

Mice can also contaminate surfaces in your home with their saliva or urine, which is almost impossible to detect. Next thing you know you could be drinking from a pop can that has mouse urine on the lid.

Some people might think that a couple of mice isn't a big deal. But two mice in your home can do a lot of damage. In just six months, two mice can eat four pounds of food and leave 18,000 droppings. Plus, mice multiply fast. One female can have five to 10 litters of about five or six mice a year. Then those mice can start reproducing after only thirty days. Within three months six mice can multiply into sixty. So if you've found one there are probably more.

The worst part is the risk of contamination. Mice contaminate about 10 times more food than they eat.

These rodents are also destructive. They can chew through electrical wires and cause an electrical fire. They've been known to destroy rigid foam and fibreglass batt insulation. They can also gnaw through any wood in your home, including furniture, trim, cabinets, doors, even the wood in your home's structure. Repairing all the damage they cause can be very expensive. And if you're thinking of selling your home, a pest problem is usually a deal breaker.

How do you get rid of them?

I've heard of people using electrical devices that emit sound to get rid of mice. They usually don't work. At first such a device might have an effect, but eventually mice get used to it.

Poisons aren't always effective either. Plus, it's a risk if you have pets; they could eat the poison or a poisoned dead mouse. When mice are poisoned they usually die somewhere inaccessible, like in a wall. It won't be long before you start to notice a foul smell. And then how are you going to get a dead mouse out of your wall?

If you're serious about getting rid of these critters for good you need to call a professional. You don't want to risk an infestation.

An experienced pest control professional can find where the mice are coming in. They'll check for cracks and spaces around vents, wires, pipes, windows and doors. Then they'll block their entry with mesh wiring, wood or spray foam insulation, or both.

Next, clean your house — including the garage. and basement. Get rid of any clutter and trash. Mice love messy places, which make it easy for them to hide and nest. Store all food sources in sealed containers, including pet food.

To help stop mice from coming in, place weatherstripping around your doors; as a bonus, this will also increase energy efficiency. If your house has a chimney, get a chimney cap installed. Keep compost far from your home. Also move any firewood or mulch from around your home's exterior. These are excellent places for mice to hide in.

All mice need is a little crack in a wall or foundation and they're in. A sealed home is the only way to stop the problem. It's also the most effective and humane. So check your home annually for cracks where mice can sneak in. Because the last creature you want stirring in your home over the holidays is a mouse.

Catch Mike Holmes in his new series Holmes Makes It Right Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.

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